Sumaya Dabbagh

Dabbagh Architects is a RIBA Chartered architectural practice based in Dubai, UAE. Under Dabbagh’s leadership, the firm has become a pioneering force in Gulf architecture. Founded in 2008, the practice is dedicated to creating contemporary architecture that is deeply rooted in cultural and environmental sensitivity. Their work explores themes of place, memory, and belonging, shaping built environments that are meaningful, enduring, and responsive to their context. 

Recently completed projects include the Al Ain Museum, (Oct 2025) and the Ali Bin Abdulla Gargash Mosque (Feb 2026). The firm has earned global recognition for its pioneering designs. The Mleiha Archaeological Centre (2016) and Gargash Mosque (2021) exemplify a new architectural language in the Gulf, blending tradition with contemporary expression. Both projects were nominated for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture and have won multiple international accolades, including the Architecture MasterPrize.

Beyond built projects, Dabbagh Architects’ exploration of materials and meaning is showcased in their ‘Earth to Earth’ installation, presented at the Sharjah Architecture Triennial (2023-24). This work further amplifies their philosophy of architecture as an evolving dialogue between place, materiality, and human experience. Beyond her architectural contributions, Dabbagh is dedicated to breaking stereotypes and challenging limitations for women in the profession. By demonstrating the influence and impact women can have in shaping the built environment, she has become an inspiring role model for future generations of architects.

Her tipping point in deciding to follow architecture as a profession was a book called ‘Poetics of Space’ by Gaston Bachelard “His articulation of the emotional response to buildings demonstrated in literary works such as prose and poetry, had ignited my curiosity to understand and study how the tangible forms can influence intangible feelings through architecture,” she shares.